Jeeno Thitikul Claims Fourth LPGA Title of 2026 With Dramatic Lotte Championship Victory

Jeeno Thitikul did not let a late-round disaster derail her pursuit of LPGA Tour dominance. The 23-year-old Thai star birdied her final two holes to win the Lotte Championship on Sunday, securing her fourth victory of the 2026 season. The win ties her with world No. 1 Nelly Korda for the most titles this year.[1][4]

Thitikul closed with a 4-under 68 in gusty conditions at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. She finished the tournament at 21-under 267, defeating South Korea's Ina Yoon by three strokes. Japan's Miyu Yamashita, who won the CPKC Women's Open in August, claimed solo third at 17-under par.[1][2]

Heading into the final stretch, Thitikul appeared to be cruising until a critical mistake on the par-4 16th hole. She drove her tee shot into the water, resulting in a double-bogey six. Yoon capitalized with a par, abruptly erasing Thitikul's lead and tying the tournament at 19-under.[2][4]

The momentum shifted entirely on the very next tee box. Yoon drove her ball into the water hazard on the par-4 17th, eventually scrambling for a bogey. Thitikul answered the pressure by draining a 20-foot birdie putt, executing a massive two-shot swing when the tournament was on the line.[1][5]

"I know 16 was terrible," Thitikul told reporters after the round. "But I just tell myself that, 'Hey, it's two holes left. Anything can happen. You can definitely bounce back whenever you still have the shot in your hand.'" She punctuated the victory with a tap-in birdie on the par-5 18th.[1][2]

A Historic Financial Milestone

The victory in Hawaii carried significant historical weight for Thitikul's young career. The $450,000 winner's check pushed her career official earnings past the $20 million mark. She is only the sixth player in LPGA Tour history to cross that financial threshold.[1][5]

With a new career total of $20.21 million, Thitikul vaulted past Hall of Famer Karrie Webb into fourth place on the LPGA Tour's all-time money list. She achieved the milestone in remarkably short order, having only joined the professional tour in 2022.[1][2]

The Lotte Championship marks Thitikul's 11th career LPGA Tour title. She now sits just one victory shy of tying 30-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn for the most wins by a player from Thailand. Thitikul will have a chance to match that record when the tour heads to Asia next week.[1][5]

Battling the Elements

Players faced severe weather challenges throughout the final round, with high winds sweeping across the Ernie Els-designed layout. Thitikul described the conditions as "brutal," noting that the gusts heavily influenced ball flights and demanded absolute commitment to target lines.[6]

Despite the late stumble, Yoon delivered a formidable challenge, opening her final round with four birdies across her first five holes. She matched her career-low 72-hole total of 270, securing her second runner-up finish of the 2026 season.[1][4]

Yoon praised her playing partner's resilience and sportsmanship during the tense final pairing. "It was super fun today," Yoon said. "Jeeno played great, and my first nine holes was putting-wise awesome. I think I learn a lot about golf from her."[1][4]

The Race for Player of the Year

The victory reignites the debate over the LPGA Tour's top player in 2026. While Korda dominated the spring schedule with four early victories, Thitikul has commanded the second half of the season. She previously captured titles at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Mizuho Americas Open, and Standard Portland Classic.[3][7]

Behind the leading trio, American Auston Kim finished in solo fourth at 16-under par. Kim posted her second 67 of the week but fell out of contention after suffering three consecutive bogeys on the back nine. China's Michelle Zhang and Sweden's Maja Stark tied for fifth at 15-under.[2][7]

The LPGA Tour now embarks on a four-tournament Asian swing. Thitikul will travel to China to defend her title at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, carrying the momentum of a player operating at the absolute peak of her game.[2][5]